Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1887-10-14

THE REVIEW has splendid news for its
readers this week. The era of progress and
improvement is upon us. and Douglas county
is preparing for future of prosperity and
greatness worthy of her wonderful resources
and great natural advantages. County Judge
Fitzhugh and Commissioners Hall and McGee
are thoroughly in harmony with the new
spirit, and IN fact are entitled TO much credit
for the formation of public opinion that i'm
provements are necessary to the future growth
of our much favored section. These remarks
are called forth by the splendid action Of the
County Board on Wednesday the 18th inst,
in letting a contract for the building of COM
bination iIon and steel cantilever truss bridge
across the North Umpqua river at Win
chester. The same is to be constructed by
the California Bridge Company of Oakland
California, at cost Of $4,000 and is TO be
completed by the Ist Of September 1888. The
construction ola bridge al this point was
called for by petition ''ten feet long," TO
quote the language Of Judge Fitzhugh, and
| the said petition was re iniorced on Wednes
day last by one from the leading taxpayers Of
| Roseburg, and those OF the county found in
town on that day, requesting the bridge TO be
built Immediately In addition TO this, Mr.
Sol. Abraham, one of the heaviest taxpayers
Of the county, made his first personal appear
ance before the Board and delivered speech
in favor of the bridge, that did him much
credit. The great unanimity of the public in
favor Of this large undertaking is fully convinc.
ing that our county is marching in harmony to
the tune Of progress. 1t is worthy Of note
that at the same meeting Of the Board, a con-
tract was let to the same company for the
erection Of a combination truss bridge on the
East Umpqua near +. Wimberly's residence
TO cost $4,497, and this with the bridge oyer
the South Umpqua near Winston which will
be completed by the first Of next month al a
cost of over $4,000 in conjunction with
smaller appropriations for other bridges will
make over $4,000 which will have been ex
pended this year on bridges in this county,
and this $4,000 contract for next year. rs
in everything else Douglas takes the lead III
the number OF streams requiring bridges, and
the good work will not cease until we have a
most thorough and complete road system. cx
| tending to all parts Of the county. All the
work for these leading improvements has
been paid for by careful management of the
of TIE county's finances, and these bridges are
not built at the expense Of a heavy indebted.
ness on the taxpayers, but TIE COUNTY Is
NOW OUT OF DEBT and in splendid financial
condition, the motto being, Improvements on
business principles.
But to return TO the big bridge. 1t is TO be
about 500 feet in total length, with combina-
ton iron and steel cantilever truss 5S4 feet
long capable Of supporting $4,000 pounds,
all to rest on concrete and iron piers anchored
to the bedrock. The floor will be about SC
feet from the river bed 1t will be the first
steel cantilevcr bridge built in Oregon and the
second on the Pacific coast Some idea o.
its strength and substantial character can be
judged by the fact that the foundations alone
will cost more than the total cost of any othel
bridge in the county.
Our space is crowding us and we have bu
room to state that the action OF the Board il
the letting Of this contract is universally en-
dorsed The voices of the croakers and kick
ers, il there be any, are drowned in the genera
acclaim of approval.